Best 9 Basil Pesto Cream Cheese Recipes

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Basil pesto cream cheese is a delightful and versatile spread that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy appetizer or a flavorful addition to your favorite dishes, this creamy and herby spread is sure to please. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can create a delicious basil pesto cream cheese that will add a burst of flavor to any meal.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BASIL PESTO



Basil Pesto image

Basil pesto is extremely versatile! It enhances the flavor for all dishes like steak, chicken, fish, vegetables, and pasta! After the ingredients are combined and formed into a tube shape, simply slice whatever size portion you need and freeze the rest! Easy-breezy to prepare and bursting with flavor!

Provided by Bwoogie1

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 cup olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
⅔ cup pine nuts
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add garlic, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mixture becomes smooth and blended.
  • Pour mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap; roll into a tube shape and seal. Store in the refrigerator until needed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177.1 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 4.4 mg, Fat 17.9 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 87.2 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

PESTO CREAM CHEESE DIP



Pesto Cream Cheese Dip image

Quick and easy! 2 ingredients + 25 minutes = yummy. You may use pre-made pesto from the store, or you can make your own (preferred) using one of the recipes on this site; try the one titled 'Easy Pesto'. A great new way to use all that basil in the garden! Serve with toasted slices of French bread.

Provided by lil deb

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Dips and Spreads Recipes     Cheese Dips and Spreads Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 2

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
⅔ cup basil pesto

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Spread cream cheese evenly in the bottom of an 8-inch round baking dish. Layer pesto evenly over cream cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 402.1 calories, Carbohydrate 4.2 g, Cholesterol 74.9 mg, Fat 38.5 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 11.7 g, SaturatedFat 17.4 g, Sodium 483.1 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

BASIL PESTO



Basil Pesto image

Keep this basic Basil Pesto recipe from Food Network Kitchen in your arsenal and use it for topping pasta, fish, chicken, pizza and more.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 5m

Yield 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese

Steps:

  • Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  • If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.
  • If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

BASIL AND PARSLEY PESTO



Basil and Parsley Pesto image

Toss this parsley pesto with pasta, spread it over sandwiches or try it in one of these creative recipes using pesto. It's also delicious stirred into an Italian-style soup, like minestrone. -Lorraine Fina Stevenski, Land O' Lakes, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 15m

Yield 1-1/4 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups loosely packed basil leaves
1 cup loosely packed Italian parsley
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
2 garlic cloves
4 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Place basil, parsley, almonds and garlic in a small food processor; pulse until chopped. Add lemon zest, juice, honey and salt; process until blended. Continue processing while gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Add cheese; pulse just until blended., Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze option: Transfer pesto to ice cube trays; cover and freeze pesto until firm. Remove from trays and transfer to a resealable plastic freezer bag; return to freezer. To use, thaw cubes in refrigerator 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 148 calories, Fat 13g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 195mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

PESTO CREAM CHEESE SPREAD



Pesto Cream Cheese Spread image

This is a terrific appetizer to serve when hosting an Italian-theme-meal. People may be a little hesitant to try it, but once they dip in, they won't be able to stop! -Cynthia Emshoff, Sarasota, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 15m

Yield about 1-1/2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons olive oil
Assorted crackers

Steps:

  • Line a 5-3/4x3x2-in. loaf pan with plastic wrap. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and garlic powder until blended; set aside. In another small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, butter, parsley, garlic, basil and marjoram until blended. Stir in walnuts. Gradually stir in oil., Spread about 1/4 cup cream cheese mixture in prepared pan. Carefully spread with a third of the Parmesan mixture. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cream cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours. Unmold; serve with crackers.

Nutrition Facts :

WARM BASIL PESTO SPREAD



Warm Basil Pesto Spread image

Enjoy flavorful basil pesto, fresh plum tomatoes and warm, melty cheese in this Warm Basil-Pesto Spread. Warm Basil-Pesto Spread is easy to make on the grill, fun to eat and thanks to aluminum foil, clean up is a breeze.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Holiday & Special Occasion Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 12 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 6 crackers each

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese
1/4 cup CLASSICO Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce and Spread
1 plum tomato, chopped
1/4 cup KRAFT Finely Shredded Italian* Five Cheese Blend
woven wheat crackers

Steps:

  • Heat grill to medium heat.
  • Place unwrapped Neufchatel on 8-inch square sheet of heavy-duty foil; top with next 3 ingredients. Place foil on grill grate; cover with lid.
  • Grill 8 to 10 min. or until shredded cheese is melted and Neufchatel is softened, but still holding its shape.
  • Transfer foil to platter. Serve cheese spread with crackers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Sodium 300 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 5 g

PESTO CREAM CHEESE SPREAD



Pesto Cream Cheese Spread image

This is a wonderful spread to take to a finger food fellowship or potluck. Serve with veggies or crackers. Prep time does not include set up time in refrigerator

Provided by Chef Buggsy Mate

Categories     Spreads

Time 30m

Yield 1 1/2 cup, 20-25 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup pesto sauce
3 tablespoons olive oil
assorted cracker
raw vegetables

Steps:

  • Line a 5-3/4x3" loaf pan with plastic wrap.
  • In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and garlic powder until well blended; set aside.
  • In a bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, butter and pesto sauce until blended.
  • Gradually stir in olive oil.
  • Spread about 1/4 cup cream cheese mixture into prepared pan.
  • Carefully spread with 1/3 pesto mixture.
  • Repeat layers twice.
  • Top with remaining cream cheese mixture.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 5 hours.
  • Un-mold; serve with crackers and veggies.
  • NOTE: to get nice layers refrigerate first cream cheese layer until firm then top with even layer of pesto mix. Refrigerate after each layer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 80, Fat 8.2, SaturatedFat 4.2, Cholesterol 18.5, Sodium 71.3, Carbohydrate 0.4, Protein 1.5

CREAMY PESTO PASTA BAKE RECIPE BY TASTY



Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, cold water, heavy cream, salt, pepper, fusilli pasta, cherry tomato, grated parmesan cheese, mozzarella ball

Provided by Tasty

Categories     Dinner

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 cups fresh basil
2 cloves garlic
½ cup pine nuts
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, grated
¾ cup olive oil
¼ cup cold water
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
12 oz fusilli pasta, al dente
1 cup cherry tomato, halved
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
8 oz mozzarella ball

Steps:

  • To make the pesto, mix basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, cold water, heavy cream, salt, and pepper in a food processor for about 30 seconds. Add in olive oil. Process until combined, set aside.
  • Cook fusilli to very al dente, or about 3-4 minutes before the package instructs for cook time, then drain pasta.
  • Halve cherry tomatoes.
  • In a skillet or casserole pan, mix fusilli, cherry tomatoes, and pesto.
  • Top with grated parmesan and mozzarella balls.
  • Bake at 400° Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until mozzarella has melted.
  • Garnish with additional parmesan and fresh basil. Serve immediately.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1234 calories, Carbohydrate 71 grams, Fat 89 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 42 grams, Sugar 6 grams

PESTO CREAM CHEESE DIP



Pesto Cream Cheese Dip image

Make and share this Pesto Cream Cheese Dip recipe from Food.com.

Provided by nvermd

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h10m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (8 ounce) container philadelphia soft cream cheese spread
1/3 cup prepared pesto sauce
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped pitted ripe olives
1 tablespoon diced pimento

Steps:

  • Mix cream cheese, pesto and Parmesan cheese.
  • Add olives and pimento.
  • Refrigerate at least one hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 60.4, Fat 5.7, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 17.7, Sodium 146.2, Carbohydrate 0.8, Sugar 0.7, Protein 1.7

Tips:

  • For a smoother pesto, use a food processor instead of a mortar and pestle.
  • Add a splash of lemon juice or white wine vinegar to the pesto for a brighter flavor.
  • If you don't have pine nuts, you can substitute walnuts, almonds, or pistachios.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
  • Let the pesto rest for at least 30 minutes before using to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Serve the pesto with pasta, grilled chicken or fish, or as a dip for vegetables.

Conclusion:

Basil pesto cream cheese is a versatile and delicious spread that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's perfect for sandwiches, wraps, crackers, or as a dip for vegetables. The combination of basil, Parmesan cheese, and cream cheese creates a creamy, flavorful spread that is sure to please everyone.

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